Originally Posted By: Guitarhacker
I think my comment when you announced the coming of this project was.... this should be interesting.... and yeah... it is.

It's always good to get out of our self-imposed boxes and write stuff that we're not really 100% up to speed on or comfortable with. That's the kind of experience that helps us grow as writers and musicians. So.. kudo's on doing that with this song.

I really liked the musical bed. That is my favorite part of the song. Really rocking stuff going on musically. Guitars chugging away, off the wall picking, driving drums..... there's a lot to like and appreciate here.

Nits and crits:

On this playback system the drums and bass were lacking a bit. So I fired up the lappy and used cans..... not much difference actually. Wondering about the compression levels on this since when the drums and bass does come in, you can hear it's there but it really doesn't make a big difference in the levels. It's kinda boxy and perhaps a bit subdued sounding rather than laying a solid foundation. You need to "open up the sound" a bit with respect to the low end. Put some dynamics back in the mix. Just because it's punk rock, don't kill it with compression and limiters. Let the mix breathe.

Singing is first class as always.... but it's easy to listen and say, yup.. that's a country singer right there.... That's not a crit.... just an observation. Our learned and practiced habits are hard to break. Like going to another part of the country and about 15 seconds into a sentence, the other party looks at you and says.... "You ain't from around here, are you?"

Good song....not my favorite genre but heck... keep writing these kinds of songs that are out of your normal style.... it certainly makes for interesting listening and will aid you on your songwriting journey.

It's all good....!!!



Thanks for the time that you spent with this and the thought that you put into it.

Since I have posted Country, Pop Country, Country Rock, Hard-Core Country, Lite Rock, Rock, Latin Rock, Singer-songwriter waltzes, story songs, a John Prine "tribute" (or ripoff if you choose), Pop, Pop Ballads, Pop Rock, Americana, Alternative Rock, Folk, Reggae-influenced rock, Waits-style "jazz", Piano Ballads, Blues, Ensemble Rock with horns, and now Punk, I don't think you can really lump me in your "self-imposed boxes".

Regarding your nits and crits...Since there is no compression on the bass it's interesting that you "hear it". There are no limiters on anything. There is a multiband compressor on the drums with a standard configuration for stereo drum tracks. It is a preset in Studio One that is very well done. I do not modify that at all. There are no compressors or limiters on any of the other tracks. Or eq, for that matter. They are all exactly as they come out of BIAB. That was intentional. I wanted this to be a demonstration of the BIAB Punk tracks because I thought they did a good job of giving us that option/style/choice....

If you take the time to listen to some punk songs, you will find that the bass guitar is (generally) used differently than in the type music you are accustom to. It is not a booming, bottom heavy root-5 bass. It is generally used like an additional rhythm guitar. Listen to the 2588:Bass, Electric, PunkFuzzPicked8ths Ev 165 RT by itself. It is exactly what you will hear in many punk recording (not all - they vary widely). It is not a country bass. It is not a rock bass. You are likely missing it because your ears are not attuned to it. Punk song are generally "all about the guitars". The drums are generally mixed to blend into the guitar bed. Drums seldom "take center stage" as they do in Country Rock or Pop.

Others - with good systems and good ears - have mentioned that the mix is good (even the bottom) and holds up well even when cranked to max levels (which a song like this is designed for).

Some classic punk for your edification.

Green Day - Basket Case
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NUTGr5t3MoY

The Clash - Complete Control
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TcKiC2yB0s

Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvMxqcgBhWQ

American Idiot
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee_uujKuJMI

Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the U.K.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uc89WTEh-jE

The Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPxsS_-LTe0

Thanks for listening.

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